Swivel headed fountain brush



June 15, 1954 "PETERSON 2,680,868

SWIVEL HEADED FOUNTAIN BRUSH Filed Feb. 24, 1948 2 Shets-Sheet .1

ale-en s;

INVENTOR.

. RUBEN o. PETERSON June 15, 1954 Q, R N 2,680,868

SWIVEL HEADED FOUNTAIN BRUSH Filed Feb. 24, 1948 2 B\ a D D 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

flfiglz RUBEN 0. PETERsON ATTORNEYS- Patented June 15, 1954 UNITED STATES F TENT OFFICE SWIVEL BEADED FOUNTAIN BRUSH Ruben 0. Peterson, University Heights, Ohio, as-

signor to The Osborn Manufacturing Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of ()hio Application February 24, 1948, Serial No. 10,419

4 Claims. 1

This invention relates, as indicated, to brushes and more particularly to a novel form of brush especially adapted for use as a floor brush or sweep.

The broom and the push brush are undoubtedly among the oldest types of brushes known, having been developed long before written history. It is interesting to note that these standard forms of brushes have not altered greatly with the years and would be readily recognized by our ancestors; this despite the fact that they are by no means as efficient in construction and operation as might be desired. It is a primary object of this invention to approach the problem from a new direction and to provide a novel brushing tool which not only avoids the deficiencies of those previously known but is also capable of use in new Ways.

The typical floor brush comprises a block of wood into which tufts of bristles have been inserted as by stapling and to which a long handle may be secured. Such brushes have been clumsy to use, not only being relatively heavy but also being so shaped that they cannot be inserted into narrow spaces. Light brushes of the twisted wire stem type, for example, commonly employed as clusters for cleaning Venetian blinds and the like do not have a suiiicient density of brush material to afford the snap action required of a sweep. The conventional broom is merely a bundle of broom-straw or the like which may, however, be relatively dense and therefore afford such desired snap action.

It is, therefore, an object of my invention to provide a brushing tool of a form capable of insertion into narrow spaces but which will nevertheless have sufficient density of fill to afford the requisite snap action in use.

Another object is to provide a brush equally suitable for a wide variety of uses including the cleaning of floors and walls, windows, screens, and the like and which is readily adjustable to adapt it to the particular work at hand.

Another object is to provide a fountain brush to which fluid may be supplied through a handle pivotally secured thereto.

Still another object is to provide a brush having an elongated brush head, the construction of which ensures adequate density of brush material adjacent the respective ends thereof.

A further object is to provide a brushing tool having an adjustable head which will be automaticallyretained in adjusted position in use.

Other objects of my invention will appear as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention then comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawings setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of but a few of the various Ways in which the principle of the invention may be employed.

In said annexed drawings:

Fig. l is a sectional view taken through the brush head and handle of a fountain brush constructed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view of one of the clamping members employed in the Fig. 1 embodiment;

Fig. 4 is a sectional View taken along the line zli on Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a clip-type retainer employed to retain the end tufts of brush material in the brush head;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 6-5 on Fig. '7 showing such retainer assembled with such brush head;

Fig. '7 is a vertical sectional view longitudinally of an end portion of such brush head showing such retainer assembled therein;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view of a brush head somewhat like Fig. 1 but showing an additional dimple or indentation assisting in holding the end tuft retaining clip in place, and also wick means within the brush head; I

Fig. 9 is a detail sectional view similar to Fig. 7 showing such end tuft retaining clip locked in place;

Fig. 10 shows a modified form of clamping member mounted on the end of a tubular handle;

Fig. 11 shows one of a pair of such cooperating clamping members positioned on such handle, the latter in section; and

Fig. 12 is a side view of one of such clamping members.

My new brush comprises an elongated handle member secured to a relatively long and narrow channelform brush back preferably stamped or drawn from sheet metal. Brush strip which may desirably be formed in the manner taught in my prior Patent No. 2,303,386 may be cut into lengths and the ends of the strip pinched together so that there is thus no difiiculty encountered with shedding of brush material adjacent such ends. The brush head is secured to the handle by means of a modified universal joint, movement thereof being limited in certain directions,

t! and peened in the same manner.

. of Fig. 2.

One of the principal advantages of sweeps formed in accordance with my invention is the fact that a dense layer of brush material is thereby provided having considerable snap in use. Thersweep will push dirt before it rather than merely pick up and drag along a portion of the dirt on the floor as is the case with the ordinary push brush. When it is desired to have an increased degree of side slant this may readily be obtained by inserting an elongated spacer element between the layers of brush material of the respective brush strips.

Referring now to Figs. 1-7 of the drawing, the brushing tool illustrated is modified to provide either for the supplying of a fluid to the brush or the application of suction thereto. The channelforrn brush back 2 is relatively deep and the two adjacent brush strips 3 and 6 therein are spaced from the inner wall 53 of such brush back by means of cupped stamping 54 and the recurved ends 55 of inserts 55 which also serve an additional function as explained below. Such inserts, one of which is fitted in each end of the brush back, are provided with two oppositely directed tongues 57 and 58. As best shown in Figs. '7 and 8, each side of the brush back is indented or dimpled at 59 adjacent the ends thereof to form inwardly directed protuberances such as 6d. The pinched-01f ends of the brush strips 3 and i coincide with such projection Eli instead of extending to the end of the channelform brush back 2. A tuft of brush material 62 is doubled around tongue 58 of clip 56 and embraced by upturned end 63 thereof. A wire or similar retaining member (not shown) may temporarily be fixed around such tuft to facilitate handling until the latter has been secured in the brush back. The clip is then forced into the end of brush back 2 with protuberances 56 riding in grooves 64% in the sides of the clip. The slanting end of the brush back tends to force the clip against such protuberances so that when the clip is entirely inserted it will snap under the protuberances with grooves 65 offset therefrom (see Fig. '7). locked in place and will be even more firmly retained when the brush strips 3 and t are next pressed in and locked in place by protuberances 8. Tongue of the clip is straight until after insertion of the brush strips, whereupon it is bent 90 to secure the channelform spacer element 3%. The resultant brush has the desired degree of end slant without any sacrifice of brush material density at the ends.

Ball as is secured to the brush back in the same general manner as ball l2, knurled stud 66 passing through brush back 2, stamping 54 and block Axial pashowever, pass entirely center of the latter sageway 63 does not, through the ball but at the communicates with a small lateral passageway 69 leading to the outer surface of the ball. The two opposed clamping members '30 and H are adapted to be drawn together by means of nut 12 and bolt '53 thereby clamping the same both to the ball and also to the end of the elongated tubular member iii which in this case serves as the handle.

Lips l5 and of the clamping members prevent swing of the brush head in their directions but such head may, of course, be swung through a very wide arc in a plane perpendicular to that A stop in the form of a lateral flange 16 is provided to limit such movement in-one direction whereby the brush head will be held The clip and tuft are thus securely 4 in proper position to be employed as a push brush. The inner faces of the sleeve portions ll of stampings iii and ii are knurled to ensure a firm grip on the end of handle member it.

A plug or biscui '58, preferably of a plastic such as neoprene, is fitted tightly into the end of handle it and is clamped between stampings a9 and l 5, bolt '53 passing therethrough. Two pairs of passages and z'ifi'lead from handle it to corresponding cross passages 8i and 82. Complementary channels in the inner surfaces of stampings it and H and in the outer surfaces of biscuit it form passages 83, 8d, 8% and 86 lead-' ing to a common discharge at 8?. The end of plug i8. is formed to receive ball as in sealing engagement thereagainst, except for a cross-channel 88 and grooves $9 formed in members iii and il placing the central cup-shaped portions to of such members in communication therewith. Ridges 2i surrounding such cupped portions are ground to seat the ball tightly thereagainst.

The passage of fluid to the brush may now' readily be traced. The extremity (not shown) of handle it will be connected, as by hose, to a source of i'iuid supply and such fluid will pass therethrough, under pressure, to the pairs of passages i9 and 8b in plug is (see Fig. 2). It then follows cross passages 8i and 552 to channels 83, 84, 55 and which conduct it to cross-channel 8B in the end of the plug adjacent ball t5. Grooves 88 in clamping members it and H now admit the fluid to the cup shaped cavities 90, one of which is in communication with lateral passage- 59 in such ball. Axial passage 68 then leads the fluid into the cavity in the brush back 2 between brush strip 5% i and the inner wall'53 of such brush back. The numerous small interstices naturally occurring between such strips and between the sides of such strips and brush back 2 amply provide for feeding the fluid to the brush material 5.

Obviously, the brush head may be swiveled to any degree without affecting the communication of passageway 59 with cavity til. When the length of the brush head is turned at an angle in the plane including the brush handle passageway 69 will not be in communication with the fluid supply when the axis of stud 55 is aligned with the handle. Since the brushing tool would ordinarily be employed similarly to a broom when the head is in this position fountain action vill not normally be desired. When the brush head is then inclined about 45 or less to the handle, however, passageway til will now open into cross-channel 38 which is widened centrally, permitting resumed flow of fluid therethrough.

ihe brush thus adjusts is suitable for scrubbing and synthetic strandeg materials such as nylon, the latter is commonly pre ferr ed for most uses as providing the desired-"snap action and resisting'the action of most" solvents.

It will be seen from the foregoing that-"I have provided a novel brushing tool in which the form of brush head and the mounting means therefor cooperate to aiford a variety of types of brushing action not previously available in a single brush. By employing a long and narrow brush head from which the brush material extends in a relatively dense layer and adjustably attaching the same to an elongated handle m mber I provide a tool having the characteristics required both of a push brush and a sweeping broom. By employing lengths of brush strip of the type disclosed in my prior Patent No. 2,303,386 as the brush elements in such brush head, I not only obtain a brush in which the brush material is more securely held than in the ordinary tufted sweep but also a brush of uniform quality capable of rapid manufacture at a reasonable cost. lhe described fountain arrangement in combination with such novel brush head provides a type of brushing tool never before available and entirely different from the common scrub brush.

Referring now to Figs. 8 and 9, it has been found desirable, although not absolutely necessary, to form additional indentations or dimples 92 inwardly of the sides of brush-back 2 after clips 56 have been forced in place. These serve to lock such clips against any possibility of loosening or escape.

A. wick 93 may be inserted in the space between the brush strip and the inner wall 53 of the brush back for the purpose of slowly feeding a liquid such as water or oil to the brush material. When such wick is employed a ball 52 will generally be used since it will be necessary only occasionally to inject fluid therethrough to the wick. The brush material may thus be kept moistened when the brush is being used on dusty floors, for example.

Figs. 10 to 12 show a form of clamping means functioning in the same general manner as that illustrated in 1 to 4. Since such two clamping members 9 may be mirror images of each other only one is illustrated in detail. They may be metal stampings, castings, or forgings and are adapted to be bolted together as previously g.

explained.

Tubular handle is is closed by a simple plug 95 and enclosed in a sleeve-like gasket 38 of rubber or similar compo ition. A pair of openings 97 in such handle with corresponding openings 98 I in such gasket communicate with openings 89 in the respective clamping members. A small metal tube ice is brazed to each such member and leads from opening 99 to an opening lei in the respective cup-shaped cavity 99. Abutments Hi2 serve the purpose of a stop in the same manner as flanges it. It will thus be seen that an externally disposed fluid conducting means has been provided as compared to the means illustrated in Figs. 1 to i. The same form of ball will be employed as shown in such latter figures. Neck or stud 56 on such ball extends far enough into the brush back (see Fig. 1) so that even if the brush be hung head up very little liquid will drain back through the ball.

Since the frictional swivel handle attaching means is secured to the top of the brush back substantially centrally intermediate its ends the resultant brushing tool may be adjusted to serve either as a sweeping broom or as a push brush. In the latter position (in the case of the form last described) it will also be a fountain brush. If desired, fluid may be conducted to only one side of the clamping socket so that by rotating the brush head end for end passage 69 in ball is iii placed out of communication with the fluid supply- Obviously, limited in degree it can take place only about an axis (the axis of stud 68) which lies in a single plane passing through the elongated handle member. The two clamping members prevent pivoting of such axis in any other plane. Since such members frictionally clamp ball 65, the brush head remains in selected position in use unless intentionally turned to another position.

Brushing tools in accordance with my invention, while very useful in the home, are of particular value where large-scale cleaning problems are encountered, as in railway stations, hotels, ofilce buildings, and factories. In such places they will result in a lowering of cleaning costs due to the ease with which they can be handled and the eiliciency of their operation. Obviously, my new tool may be handled more rapidly and effectively among the machines on the of a machine shop than the conventional bulky brush head having a handle fitted in a socket therein. As will be seen by reference to the drawing, the brush back of my new brushing tool need be no wider than the elongated handle member, greatly facilitating insertion into narrow and awkward places. In fact, my new brushing tool, properly oriented, is adapted to lie within a very narrow plane and may be readily distinguished from any known prior art brush in this manner.

Certain subject matter disclosed but not claimed in this application is disclosed and claimed in m sci-pending application Serial No. 155,803, filed April 14, $50. Other modes of applying the principle of the invention may be employed, change being made as regards the details described, provided the features stated in any of the following claims or the equivalent of such be employed.

1' therefore particularly point out and distinct- 1y claim as my invention:

1. A fountain brush comprising an elongated tubular handle member, an elongated, substantially straight and relatively narrow channelforni brush back closed at the ends, at least one length of individual straight narrow brush strip secured in said brush back having a relatively fiat layer of brush material extending therefrom means spacing said strip from the inner Wall of said back to provide a cavity therebetween frlctionally adjustable swivel means connecting the end of said handle to said brush back, said connecting means comprising a ball and socket joint with said ball secured to said brush back and said socket secured to an end of said handle a stud on said ball extending into such cavity said stud and ball having a passage therethrough communicating with such cavity and opening from said ball at a point on the axis of rotation of said ball parallel to the longitudinal dimension said ball and brush back accordingly being frictionally swingable about an axis parallel to the longitudinal dimension of said brush as well as rotatable about the axis of said handle, and a plug of resilient material in the end of said tubular handle member extending between said while such rotative movement is unclamping members and seating, said ball, said plug having passages therethrough in association with said clamping members leading from said tubular handle member to such cavities in said clamping members and to a central opening in the end of said plug seating said ball.

2. A fountain brush comprising an elongated tubular handle member, an elongated, substantially straight and relatively narrow channelform brush back closed at the ends, at least one length of individual straight narrow brush strip secured in said brush back having a relatively flat layer of brush material extending therefrom, said brush back being of a width not appreciably exceeding the thickness of said elongated tubularhandle member, means spacing said strip from the inner wall of said back to provide a cavity therebetween, frictionally adjustable swivel means connecting the end of said handle to said brush back, said connecting means comprising a ball and socket joint with said ball secured to said brush back and said socket secured to an end of said handle, said ball having a passage therethrough communicating with such cavity and opening from said ball at a point rotation of said ball parallel to the longitudinal dimension of said brush back, said socket comprising two opposed clamping members cupped to receive said ball therebetween and to provide cavities sealed by said ball respectively adapted to communicate with the end of such passage in said ball, said clamping members being formed and spaced to afford an appreciable degree of swinging movement of said brush back about an axis parallel to its longitudinal dimension as Well as enabling rotation about the axis of said handle, and a plug in the end of said tubular handle extending between said clamping memers and engaging said ball in sealing engagement, said plug having passages therein leading from said tubular handle member to such cavities in said clamping members.

3. A fountain brush comprising a tubular handle member, a brush head having a cavity therein adapted to feed a fluid to brush material of said brush, ball and socket means connecting said brush head to said handle with said ball secured to said brush head and said socket secured to an end of said handle, said ball having a passage therethrough communicating with such cavity and opening from said ball at a point on the axis of rotation of said ball parallel to the longitudinal dimension of said brush head, said socket comprising two opposed clamping members cupped to receive said ball therebetween and to provide cavities sealed by said ball respectively adapted to communicate with the end of said passage in said ball, said clamping members being formed and spaced to afiord an appreciable degree of swinging movement of said brush head about an axis parallel to its longitudinal dimenon the axis of i handle member, a brush head having a cavitytherein adapted to feed a fluid to brush material of said brush, ball and socket means connecting said brush head to said handle with said ball secured to said brush head and said socket secured to an end of said handle, said ball having a passage therethrough communicating with such cavity opening from said ball at a point on the axis of rotation of said ball parallel to the,

longitudinal dimension of said brush head, said socket comprising two opposed clamping memcupped to receive said ball therebetween and to provide cavities sealed by said ball respectively to communicate with the end of said pas ,c in said ball, said clamping members being formed and spaced to aiiord an appreciable degree of swinging movement of said brush head about parallel to its longitudinal dimension Well enabling rotation about the axis of handle, and conduits leading from said tubular handle to such cavities in said clamping members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Rs. 14,156 Rohrbach June 20, 1916 50,067 Faught Sept. 19, 1865 67,726 Costello Aug. 13, 1867 121,050 Harvey Nov. 21, 1871 129,295 Bell July 16, 1872 423,506 Young Mar. 18, 1890 47 2,986 Ehrenberg Apr. 19, 1892 482,221 Barnett Sept. 6, 1892 719,156 Spence Jan. 27, 1903 796,498 Bergenstrole Aug. 8, 1995 1,136,442 Speese Mar. 2, 1915 1,158,846 Punch Nov. 2, 1915 1,170,979 Leake Feb. 8, 1916 1,181,594 Hinkle May 2, 1916 1,189,505 Stockton July 4, 1916 1,438,741 Benoit Dec. 12, 1922 1,968,827 Grewe Aug. 7, 1934 2,417,491 Hill Mar. 8, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 8,352 Great Britain July 10, 1885 48,974 Sweden July 2, 1919 609,702 Germany July 30, 1934 

